Name: Amy D.
Status: educator
Age: 20s
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date:
Monday, September 30, 2002
Question:
While camping this weekend in southern Missouri, I saw
two worms come out of a spider. By looking at pictures on the Internet,
I would characterize the worms as roundworms because they were
long-probably several inches each-and round. After the worms came out,
the spider looked like it was having a seizure and it did not move much
after that. Being a science teacher, I was entranced in the whole
process as it was happening before me. Can you tell me more information
about these worms that infect spiders?
Replies:
I am sorry for the late and inadequate reply, but here is what I know: most
roundworms (nematodes) are free living in the soil or associated with soil
organisms. I haven't found anything regarding parasites in spiders, but
there are a number of possibilities, most organisms are sometimes host for
internal parasitic worms.
J. Elliott
Up-date October 2008
The following site gives information about small worms that have been found in spiders.
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